Note to Windermere Cup spectators lining Montlake Cut Saturday morning: In the final race, the guys with the black oars are really good.
The eight New Zealand rowers who will line up to face Washington and Columbia in the showcase race of the 29th annual Cup have aspirations, even expectations, of being in Rio de Janeiro next summer, lining up for a shot at an Olympic medal.
“This crew has been working together for years to be their country’s Olympic eight,” said Washington men’s coach Michael Callahan. “They’re like a national project.”
It’s been a successful one so far.